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 You can hire a barrister in two ways.

1. Through a solicitor 

If you already have a solicitor, they will usually choose and instruct a barrister for you.

The solicitor will manage the case and act as the main contact.

2. Directly through Public Access 

You can contact a barrister yourself if they offer Public Access.

This means you do not need a solicitor.

Find out if a barrister offers Public Access by using the Find a Barrister tool.

What Public Access means

 Public Access allows you to work directly with a barrister.

Not all barristers can do this. They must complete extra training first.

A Public Access barrister can:

  • Give legal advice
  • Draft legal documents
  • Represent you in court (in many cases)

You may still need to do some tasks yourself, such as:

  • Sending documents to the court
  • Keeping track of deadlines

Your barrister must explain clearly:

  • What they will do
  • What you need to do
  • How much it will cost

For more on how to instruct a Public Access barrister, read our Public Access guidance.

Public Access Guidance
Legal aid and costs

You cannot get legal aid if you hire a barrister directly through Public Access.

If you qualify for legal aid, a Public Access barrister should tell you.

They may suggest you speak to a solicitor instead.

Learn more on our page about barristers and their fees.

Immigration and asylum cases

 If your case is about immigration or asylum, we have extra guidance to help you.

Read our immigration and asylum guidance. This guidance is available in several languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, and Urdu.

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE TO IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM ISSUES

If you are an adviser or professional, read our guidance for professionals instructing immigration barristers.

List of licences for instructing barristers

You can download the lists of licences which we issue to organisations, individuals, and immigration advisors registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (formerly, the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)).

LICENCE LIST - General licensed access for organisations/individuals LICENCE LIST - Licensed access for immigration advisors (IAA Level 2 & 3)

Some clients can instruct barristers under the Licensed Access Regulations by being a member of a body listed in the Schedules to the Licensed Access Recognition Regulations. 

If you want to get licensed access for yourself or your organisation, please visit our webpages on the Licensed Access Recognition Regulations and use the application forms and guidelines for Licensed Access.